Cody Williams became well known for his ability in the high jump as a high school track athlete, and now continues to impress on the college level. Here, he competes in the high jump as part of the heptathlon at the national NAIA Indoor Track Meet last week. (Courtesy photo)
Cody Williams’ 7th place finish in the heptathlon also earned him All-American status. (Courtesy photo)
Cody Williams a national medalist in heptathlon
Cody Williams was the only college freshman on the awards stand last week when he was presented the seventh place medal in the heptathlon at the NAIA Indoor National Track and Field Meet.
Williams of Imperial, a 2017 graduate of Chase County Schools, finished in the medals in the grueling event that challenges athletes in seven different events.
Competing for Concordia University in Seward, the national meet this year was held in Pittsburg, Kan.
Competition in the heptathlon is split over two days, with the first day including the 60 meter dash, long jump, shot put and high jump.
Day two includes the 60 meter hurdles, pole vault and 1,000 meter run.
Williams’ marks and how he placed overall in each event are as follows:
60 meter—7.52, 14th place.
Long jump—21’4.25”, 4th place.
Shot put—32’1.5”, 14th place.
High jump—6’4”, tie 5th place.
60 meter hurdles—8.81, 8th place.
Pole vault—15’1”, 2nd place.
1,000 meter run—2:54.62, 11th place.
Williams recorded personal records in the 60 meter dash, the 1,000 meter run, long jump, pole vault and his overall heptathlon score of 4,915 points.
Concordia Head Track Coach Matt Beisel said Williams has had a fantastic season as a freshman. He’ll continue competition this spring in the outdoor season, where he’ll participate in the decathlon (10 events), as well as the individual high jump, triple jump and long jump, Coach Beisel said.
He’ll be learning how to throw the javelin and the discus (decathlon events), he noted.
Beisel said Williams also qualified in the high jump at nationals last week, but did not compete because it conflicted with the heptathlon’s pole vault.
For his seventh place medal status at nationals, Williams also earned All-American honors with two Concordia teammates, Jacob Cornelio and Samantha Liermann. Eleven Concordia athletes competed at nationals this year.
Williams attends Concordia University on both track and academic scholarships, after a successful track career at CCS that includes high school records in the high jump and long jump.
Jodi Koellner also qualifies
Another former Chase County track athlete is on her way to nationals on the college level.
Jodi Koellner of Imperial, a senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, will be in Birmingham, Ala., Friday and Saturday at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.
She’ll compete in the weight throw, and currently is ranked 17th in the nation with a 55’6.25” mark.
After qualifying the past two years for outdoor nationals, this will be her first indoor nationals appearance.